ALung Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, is commercializing the Hemolung™, an artificial lung in the form of a Respiratory Assist System. This transformational and disruptive new therapy, in the majority of cases, is expected to replace the respirator in the medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while providing a full payback to the hospital within the first two weeks of use. The Company expects the Hemolung will provide avoidance of ventilator (respirator) support and associated intubation and sedation for patients with acute exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The Company also expects that the Hemolung will be a supplement to accelerate healing for patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). On market introduction, the Hemolung is expected to replace 40%- 50%, and as physicians get comfortable with it, eventually as much as 60%-80%, of ventilator use in the ICU.
The HemolungTM Respiratory Assist System
The Hemolung is a medical device which functions much like a renal dialysis system. A small catheter is placed in a central vein, through which blood is circulated to a filter where carbon dioxide is removed and oxygen is added. By taking over 50% of carbon dioxide removal from the lungs, the Hemolung allows patients to avoid intubation and rest comfortably while their underlying condition is treated and their lungs heal. The system can currently provide continuous support for up to 7 days.
Recent Progress
ALung commenced its first human trials of the Hemolung in late 2009. A twenty patient pilot study in COPD patients is currently underway in Germany to demonstrate the safety and performance of the device in preparation for a European market launch which is expected in 2011. A US-based pivotal study will be conducted in 2011-2012.
More Information
For more information on ALung Technologies, please visit the Company’s website:
http://www.alung.com
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